Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dental Specialist Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont

The median dental specialist earns $279,820 a year in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro, with the middle half between $131,730 and $354,440.[1]

25th percentile

$131,730

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$279,820

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$354,440

Upper end of the middle half

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont runs about 21% higher than the California median and ranks 1st of 4 California metros. It is about 24% higher than the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dental specialists. Many dental specialists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included. That can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont pay range vs. California and the U.S.

Dental Specialist annual wages: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont vs. California vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualCalifornia annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$107,430$89,250$104,120
25th percentile$131,730$147,540$166,130
Median$279,820$230,730$224,990
75th percentile$354,440$265,150$280,590
90th percentile$404,140$313,440$402,700
Mean (average)$258,960$218,050$247,930

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

30

About 9% of California's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

0.01

California: 0.02

Location quotient

0.38

1.00 = U.S. average; less concentrated than the national average

For dental pros in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont

Build a free resume and get matched to practices that fit you.

Dental Specialist salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont: FAQ

How much do dental specialists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?

The median dental specialist salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area is $279,820, with the middle half earning between $131,730 and $354,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $107,430 at the 10th percentile to $404,140 at the 90th.

Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont higher or lower than the rest of California?

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont runs about 21% higher than the California state median for dental specialists. It ranks 1st of 4 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont compare nationally?

Dental Specialist pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont is about 24% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dental specialists work in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area?

BLS estimates 30 dental specialists were employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.38, so the role is less concentrated than the national average.